title: Significance of correlation between interferon-γ and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and interleukin-17 in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis is known to be associated with chronic hepatic inflammation. The present study aimed to examine the correlation between inflammatory mediators INF-γ, IL-17, and sICAM-1 in HBV cirrhotic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The levels of sICAM-1, interleukin-17, and IFN-γ were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 120 cirrhotic patients with HBV and 270 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Total bilirubin (TB) was measured and the association between TB and IFN-γ, sICAM-1, interleukin-17 were analyzed. The levels of these cytokines in serum and the association between IFN-γ and sICAM-1 as well as interleukin-17 were investigated. Relationships between these cytokines and Child-Pugh classes were analyzed in patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age and sex were similar, but TB values were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.001). Serum levels of sICAM-1, interleukin-17, and IFN-γ were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with HBV than in controls (P<0.001 for both). TB levels were positively correlated with IFN-γ, interleukin-17 and sICAM-1 levels. Significantly positive correlations were also found between IFN-γ and interleukin-17 as well as sICAM-1 (r=0.817 and r=0.561, respectively, P<0.01). There were significant differences between the studied cytokines (sICAM-1, interleukin-17, and IFN-γ) and Child-Pugh classes (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased IFN-γ level was correlated with both IL-17 and sICAM-1, and it may primarily play a role as cytokines trigger in liver injury. Both IL-17 and sICAM-1 may synergistically contribute to liver damage.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, PR China.
authors.forename: Huisong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Dongwei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shenglan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiaolei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Changqing
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D020381:Interleukin-17; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D001663:Bilirubin